There are many films and TV series in which World War One
forms the tragic backdrop. Many of them
are very good.

As is this one.
Based on Vera Brittain’s autobiography it is her story and Alicia
Vikander’s film. Vikander is consistently strong as the determined young woman
of the gentry who fights to be allowed to enter Oxford, only to give up her
studies to become a nurse when the war breaks out.

Three young men orbit around her. Her fiancé Roland,
her brother Ted and their friend Victor who is in love with Vera. They all go
to war. We know what will happen.

It’s an anti-war film. Vera Brittain became a
prominent pacifist.

It’s a good film but I want more. There is little character development other
that Vera’s. The beloved brother is
essentially anonymous. Kit Harington as the romantic interest is flat and
completely unconvincing. There is no chemistry between him and Vikander. The
role would have been much better played by Colin Morgan and only he of the
young men brings pathos to the small role as Victor in which he was actually
cast.

It’s a handsome film and well crafted. It’s worth
seeing. I appreciate the choice of subtle nuances over bombastic drama but the
result is too reserved for the final experience to be as great as I had hoped
for.